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Falcons' four unanswered goals send Portland Pirates packing

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Springfield Falcons goalie Anton Forsberg and (20) Matt Taormina along with Portland's (10) Jordan Szwarz watch the Pirates' first goal iin the first period at the MassMutual Center on Friday.
(Dave Roback/The Republican)

SPRINGFIELD – On the night the Springfield Falcons were awarded the Teddy Oke Trophy, they played like champions who were hungry for the Calder Cup, beating the Portland Pirates 5-2 Friday night at the MassMutual Center.

Carter Camper (16:37) and an empty-netter by Dana Tyrell (18:37) sealed the win.

"Our motto is (that) our next five (four) games are playoff games for us," Goloubef said. We've got to get into that same rhythm and tempo we're going to have down the stretch."

The Northeast Division champions found themselves in a tight game early despite having Portland's number all season with a 5-0-0-1 mark.

Goloubef scored his seventh goal of the season assisted by Marko Dano and Michael Chaput to put the Falcons on the board first just 11 seconds into the opening frame.

The Pirates responded quickly as Ethan Werek tied things up at 6:25.

Tim Kennedy converted a power-play for Portland giving the Pirates a 2-1 edge heading into the break. The goal was initially awarded to Werek, but he was later credited with the assist instead, along with Joel Hanley.

Power play goals by Dano (6:15) and Patrick McNeill at (18:39) gave Springfield a 3-2 lead after the second. It was McNeill's 11th of the season, to lead all defenseman on the team.

Paul Thompson and Dano were both awarded penalty shots after being taken down breaking to the net on two separate attempts, but neither were able to capitalize.

The Falcons announced that the first two home games of the Calder Cup Playoffs will kickoff Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. The team's round one opponent is still undetermined.

"There's a bigger trophy to win," Goloubef said of the Teddy Oke. "It's nice to (start the playoffs) in our own building. It's easier on the body, it's easier on the guys and just more fun playing in front of fans here at home."

The Falcons' last home game of the regular season is Saturday against the Hershey Bears at 7 p.m.